Writer's note: I'll like to thank those who reviewed the last chapter; your comments helped me tremendously in editing this chapter. I'll say that this chapter still isn't very substantial as to what exactly happened, but I tried to hint more, and maybe you could guess…
Eternal Love -Chapter ThreeThe next morning, Atobe arrived at work at the usual time, his suit was wrinkled and unchanged for once and a faint stubble appeared on his chin. He appeared tired and listless, having slept in the car all night, and had a dreadful headache.
Yet, as he entered the office, all else was pushed aside and he begun to work with the efficiency and responsibility that had made his bosses so impressed with his performance. Images of the previous night threatened to enter his head every now and then, but he push all unwanted memories away with the ease that came from years of practice, using work to numb his mind and heart as he had done for so long.
But still, time passed rapidly and the moment that he had been dreading all day soon came, the sun begun its slow descent from the sky, and night fell over the beautiful city. Atobe tried to remain in the office for as long as he could, but there was soon no one else left and he had no choice but to leave, knowing well the company's policy against staying overnight.
Returning home to his empty apartment, he removed his coat and slumped down of the couch, closing his eyes in exhaustion, drained both mentally and physically. Opening his tired eyes to look around the room, he caught sight of his own reflection in the glass sliding doors leading to the balcony.
Smiling bitterly, he wondered how his previous teammates would have reacted if they saw him in his current state. Feeling nearly as depressed and disoriented as he looked, he ran his hand through the dark grey hair and sudden thought crossed his mind, temptation griped him. He could suddenly smell the sweet smell of alcohol on his lips, envision the mesmerising way the liquid looked in the glass and feel the cold yet burning sensation in his throat. Picking up his jacket, he broke the resolution he had made so long ago.
Entering the noisy dark pub, Atobe took in the familiar smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke, hating it yet losing himself in it at the same time. Sitting down at the counter, he ordered a drink and downed it almost instantly. The golden, shimmering liquid slide smoothly down his throat, he could feel it burning, but the pain was intoxicating, he longed for it.
Ordering one drink after another, he relished the familiar feeling of half-consciousness, experiencing once again the comfort of knowing that he will forget his pain momentarily soon enough, drowning himself in the desire to forget.
It was not too long before Atobe was slumped on the counter, mumbling to himself and barely aware of his surroundings. With the last bit of strength that he had left, he pulled his wallet out of his pocket and paid the bill before dragging himself back to his car.
Yet, he was unable to find the desired refuge in his drunken state for distant memories haunted him even in his semi-consciousness. Various voices from the past echoed in his head, forcing him to close his eyes in pain as he fought fruitlessly to shut them out.
"The police had confirmed, it wasn't a accident, it was attempted suicide; he couldn't take the grief and rammed his car into a tree."
"We have tried our best to revive him, but he is in coma, he might never wake up. "
"Give up Atobe, give up. They are both gone."
"No!" He shouted with all the force that he could muster, his head threatened to burst with the sheer torture and he tried to get up to go back and get more alcohol, but his strength failed him and he could only slump back on his seat, allowing the pain to torment him further.
Hours passed and it was soon dawn, then morning came. The sunlight shone mercilessly into his eyes, unsympathetically arousing him from the uneasy sleep that he had finally fallen into barely an hour ago. His head hurt terribly and he could smell the odour of smoke and alcohol on his clothes. Glancing at his reflection in the rear-view mirror, he took in his blood-shot eyes and the untidy bristles on his chin, deciding that he was in no condition to appear at work.
Driving home in a bleary state, he forced himself to resist lying down on the couch upon reaching home and instead stepped instantly into the shower, in a desperate attempt to remove the alcohol and cigarette odour on him.
The icy-cold water ran through his hair and washed over him, waking him up with a sudden jolt as the events of the previous night came rushing back and he instantly regretted his actions, as the headache that he was experiencing became worse than ever. Stepping out of the shower, he towelled himself dry and dressed rapidly before lying down on the bed and falling into a deep sleep.
It was past noon when Atobe woke up and he realised that he had slept for nearly five hours. It was the first time that he had slept so well in days and he felt refresh and rejuvenated. Glancing at the clock on his table, he remembered that he had not yet informed the company of his absence and hurriedly made a phone call explaining that he was sick.
After that was done, he sat down on the armchair in his study, at a total loss as to how to best occupy his time, for it was years since the last time he had been totally free, having spent all his spare time absorbed in his work, for he preferred not having time to think.
Reluctantly, his thoughts wandered back to Fuji, he felt uneasy not seeing the other man for two whole days despite knowing that he was probably fine. The events of their previous meeting entered his mind once more and he felt the all-too-familiar sense of guilt. He had taken away so much from Fuji, the only thing that he could do now was to make his new life as happy as possible and hope that Fuji will soon be able to lead a normal and joyful life free from the constraints of the past.
Picking up his jacket and car-keys, he made the decision to ensure that the other man finds the happiness that he himself had forever lost so long ago.
Stepping through the familiar glass doors, Atobe realised that he missed the familiar smell of antiseptic that filled the place, the pure, clear and untainted feeling offered by the hospital.
Fuji was lying on the bed when he entered the room, only to turn around upon hearing him close the door, his features breaking into a dazzling smile that was both sweetly innocent and friendly at the same time.
"I missed you."
The words were spoken simply and softly, making him feel welcomed rather than guilty for not coming previous night.
Seating down at the side of the bed, Atobe replied with a tender, and slightly apologetic smile of his own and the casual atmosphere present in the rooms two nights ago soon returned.
The two talked about everything, with the taller man telling his companion all about the outside world, sharing his experiences at work and talking about his career ambitions. It soon seemed like they had knew each other forever, the jokes and laughter flow easily, filling the room with a warmth that had been absent for so long.
Every minute that used to be an eternity of waiting and hoping for Atobe became but a split second of fun and enjoyment with the presence of Fuji Syuuske. The visit ended too soon for both, despite the fact that Atobe had stayed for much longer than he usually did.
Atobe left with the promise to return the next day and he kept to it, returning punctually after work the next day. Days passed, then weeks, then months. . Atobe often brought Fuji out to visit the sights of London, together, they explored the city they had both been in for so long and yet had never really seen. The days were filled with happiness for both, for each had the company of the other despite being strangers in a foreign land. Fuji recuperated fast physically and it was soon time for him to be discharged.
End Chapter Three
I hope you enjoyed reading this, I think it might still be confusing, but the plot is actually moving now and I'll be writing more from Fuji's Pov in the next chapter. Do leave a review to tell me what you think, thanks!